Capitol View®

The Daily Digest: 3-20-09

Minnesota's jobless rate continues to climb. The February numbers show an 8.1 percent unemployment rate.

The House DFL proposes a budget that raises taxes, cuts spending and uses one-time money to balance the budget. MPR, the Star Tribune, AP, MinnPost and the Pi Press have stories.

Minneota considers cutting its entire police force to save money.

The historical flags get a makeover.

The MPCA will test soil at the Bemidji Airport for contamination from firefighting foam.

D.C.

Vice-President Joe Biden touts the stimulus during a stop in St. Cloud. The St. Cloud Times, MPR, the Star Tribune and AP have stories.

President Obama tells Jay Leno that he was stunned by the AIG bonuses.

Obama also makes a Special Olympics joke on Leno and apologizes for it later.

Obama also reaches out to Iranian citizens.

The House passes a bill that taxes AIG bonuses and other companies with big bailouts.

All three GOP members of Minnesota's delegation voted against the bill.

Here's the Roll Call on the vote.

GOP Rep. Michele Bachmann writes an op-ed on government spending.

DFL Rep. Tim Walz releases a stimulus guide.

GOP Rep. John Kline says he's happy with Obama's changes to the VA Health plan.

2008 Race for U.S. Senate

Norm Coleman's attorney says he's likely to lose his contest of the recount. Here's the interview on KFAN.

A Senate Republican says every day without Democrat Al Franken is a gift.

The St. Paul Saints create a two-faced doll with Franken and Republican Norm Coleman.

2012

Michelle Malkin rips Gov. Pawlenty for studying the mileage tax idea.